The Weeknd Talks ‘Beauty Behind The Madness’ Followup In VMAN

The Weeknd is brushing off any pressure to top his last record.

How does one of the best-selling artists in recent times outdo themselves? They don't. That's how The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) is tackling how to release another record-breaking album.
“There are new inspirations on this album ... The production feels aggressive but still sexy. The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles," Tesfaye tells VMAN. "We wrote it all in Los Angeles. I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done. It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced.”
Tesfaye adds that although he's put out bodies of work for years, Beauty Behind the Madness felt like the beginning.
“My purpose is to make exciting music, and I feel like I’ll be doing that for the rest of my life, so there’s no pressure. Nothing is stopping me from doing what I love to do.” So how will he grow and move forward without leaving behind the fans he has won? “I’ve been very intrigued by the film Amadeus. I’ll touch on my relationship with religion a little bit and how it ties into my crazy and materialistic life. I’ll touch base on some recent experiences and past experiences that didn’t make the last album. I wrote some of these songs while recording Beauty Behind the Madness. It’s like a fictional book inspired by true events.”
Read the full interview here.